Linde-Monash University Sustainability Conference advances industrial decarbonisation in Malaysia
From left to right: Associate Professor Edward Ooi Chien Wei, Professor Anthony Guo, Dato’ Sri Haji Mad Zaidi bin Mohd Karli, Hoo Peih Yoke, and Dr New Eng Kein.
Held under the theme “Shaping Tomorrow’s Energy”, the university welcomed approximately 350 government officials, industry representatives, academics, researchers and students to the Linde-Monash University Sustainability Conference 2026. Organised in partnership with Linde Malaysia and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the event attracted more than 200 corporate representatives.
Professor Anthony Guo, Head of the School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, delivered the welcoming remarks: “This conference represents a true tripartite strategic alliance between government policy, industrial deployment, and academic research. It reflects Monash’s deep commitment to advancing sustainability through research excellence, preparing future‑ready talent to lead Malaysia’s energy transition and building partnerships that help shape tomorrow’s energy landscape.”
Professor Guo also recognised the Department of Chemical Engineering’s efforts in establishing the partnership with Linde Malaysia during the department’s 20th anniversary.
Professor Anthony Guo delivering his opening remarks for the conference.
Hoo Peih Yoke, Managing Director of Linde Malaysia, said, “This collaboration connects sustainability ambitions with practical industry action by bringing together technology, research and supportive policy frameworks. By leveraging the combined strengths of each partner, the conference sought to facilitate knowledge exchange and identify actionable pathways for sustainable growth within the nation’s industrial sector. The focus is to ensure accessibility and usability within the industrial sector to drive real-world application and meaningful progress."
Hoo Peih Yoke during her address during the conference.
Dato’ Sri Haji Mad Zaidi bin Mohd Karli, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), then delivered the keynote address on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof.
He outlined Malaysia’s aspiration to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as early as 2050, and discussed the six energy-transition levers under the National Energy Transition Roadmap: energy efficiency, renewable energy, hydrogen, bioenergy, green mobility, and carbon capture, utilisation and storage. He also highlighted the National Energy Efficiency Policy and Action Plan 2026–2035, which targets an 11.6 per cent reduction in national energy demand by 2035.
“We welcome more collaborations that strengthen industrial capabilities, accelerate technology adoption and support the development of local expertise. These partnerships are instrumental in ensuring Malaysia remains an attractive destination for high‑value investments while advancing towards our energy transition goals,” Dato’ Sri Hj Mad Zaidi shared.
The keynote address that was delivered by Dato’ Sri Haji Mad Zaidi bin Mohd Karli.
The keynote address was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Linde Malaysia and Monash University Malaysia. Signed by Hoo Peih Yoke and Professor Anthony, and officiated by Dato’ Sri Mad Zaidi, the MoU establishes a framework for long-term collaboration in education, research, talent development and sustainability.
The conference then moved into its industry and academic presentations. Vishal Pandey, Regional Director – Business Development and Sales at Linde Engineering ASEAN, discussed commercially viable pathways for hydrogen and carbon management, and Dr Heng Zhu, Director for Application Technology Sales (Food, EV and Chemical) at Linde Technology APAC, explained how industries could decarbonise existing facilities through energy-efficiency improvements and technologies such as Oxyfuel combustion.
Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Saman Ilankoon, from the School of Engineering presented research into microalgae-based systems that could simultaneously capture carbon dioxide and treat wastewater, while Ir Dr Ling-Ling Tan, Associate Professor from the School of Engineering and Director of the Nano-Analytical Platform discussed how photocatalysis and electrocatalysis could convert carbon dioxide, water and waste streams into valuable fuels and chemicals.
Zariah Zanziba, Project Manager for Hydrogen Power and SCADA at Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, delivered a special presentation on the use of green hydrogen in the Kuching Urban Transportation System. Its first phase will cover 50.6 kilometres across three lines and 24 stations, using hydrogen fuel cell-powered Autonomous Rapid Transit vehicles and feeder buses.
Group photo of the attendees during the Linde-Monash Sustainability Conference 2026.
The presentations culminated in a panel forum featuring representatives from academia, industry and MIDA’s Sustainability Division.
By connecting government policy, industrial capability and academic research, the conference provided a platform for future collaborations, technology deployment and talent development initiatives supporting Malaysia’s transition towards a sustainable and competitive low-carbon economy.